Business

The factory floor of Trace Die Cast in Bowling Green is loud—so loud, workers and visitors wear ear plugs anytime they’re on the premises. This is the sort of place that provides the blue collar manufacturing jobs that we keep hearing are in such short supply these days.

The Chief Executive of a company that once hoped to reopen Kentucky Kingdom amusement park in Jefferson County says the project was scrapped because officials didn't think they would have the freedom under a lease to make decisions independently and quickly. Bluegrass Boardwalk announced Friday that it was going to withdraw from the project due to government regulations and stipulations.

An auto-industry supplier is planning a $10 million expansion of a facility in Bowling Green, with plans calling for two new production lines and an add-on to the existing building. KIRIU USA President and CEO Mark Kimura says the expansion should be done by the time the company celebrates its 10th anniversary this fall.

Four area business executives and trainers have co-authored a new book outlining how a "purpose driven" life can lead to a more fulfillment both on the job and at home. Joe Corcoran spoke with author Greg Coker and co-author Skip Werth about "Building Cathedrals".

The Better Business Bureau says students seeking summer jobs should beware of newspaper or internet ads that promise extremely high pay and then tell the worker he or she must purchase expensive software or equipment for the job. Once the student sends money for the purchases, they may never hear from the company again, according BBB officials.

The Department of Financial Institutions in Kentucky says the deadline to file a claim to participate in the Morgan Keegan Bond Fund Claims Process is June 16th. Potentially eligible claimants had lost money in proprietary bond funds from Morgan Keegan that were investgated by the Department and securities regulators from four other states.

The price tag for a new downtown convention center in Owensboro now stands at nearly $40 million. The city-county organization overseeing the construction effort has approved the use of $3.5 million in contingency funds for the project.

New York Blower Company is planning to locate a new manufacturing facility in Grayson County.The investment is expected to create 125 jobs. The company plans to make an investment of $4.8 million in the project.

Officials in Tennessee say asking hard questions, reading all materials, and scrutinizing websites are important steps to be certain a health insurance offer is legitimate. The Department of Commerce and Insurance says unlicensed companies have been defrauding consumers by collecting premiums for bogus insurance policies, with no intention of paying claims.

The big roller coasters at the old Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville won't be back when the park reopens as Bluegrass Boardwalk. The application for tax credits reveals that several rides will not be refurbished due to their age and the cost of repairs.

TeleTech will invest more than $12 million in a new delivery center in Hopkinsville. State officials say the investment will include a 45,000 square foot facility. Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp says the company has been considering the area for several years, and this week’s announcement is a reflection of the quality of the workforce in Hopkinsville and Christian County.

Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly says a 1% tax increase on hotel rooms in the county is needed to support the new downtown convention center. Mattingly told Daviess County Fiscal Court members that unless the slight tax increase is enacted, city taxpayers would have to foot the cost of running the new convention center when it opens next year.